Durga Puja, which the UNESCO has inscribed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) of Humanity, is seeing enthusistic and decked up celebration all over Bengal this year after two years of muted festivities due to pandemic. In this celebratory season, students of Orchids–The International School (OIS), Newtown in Kolkata conducted a unique social drive PUJARPAN ’22 of books, ration and stationery donation along with fundraising to add to the inclsuive celebrations and evotion for the Durga Puja.The raised amount will be donated to World Vision India and Prayajan NGO, for the welfare of underprivileged children.
Sharmili Shah, Principal, Orchids -The International School, said, “Our students are ecstatic to be back to normalcy after almost two years and their enthusiasm has made the event even more joyous. The overwhelming response from the students, staff, and parents to be a part of this initiative has taken the project to an unanticipated level and I feel privileged to host it on our premises to welcome “Maa Durga”. We have donated books and stationeries to our NGO partners – World Vision India and Prayajan along with that, the teachers, students and non-teaching staff of the school donated 50,000 INR and a total amount of 25,000 INR has been donated to both the NGOs. I am highly thankful to our trustees to support us in this noble cause.”
Renowned singer Nachiketa Chakraborty along with deputy secretary in the Deptt. Of Education, Govt of West Bengal, Sukanta Saha encoruaged the studdents with their presence at an event organized to acknowledge them. Mangala Koti Singhal, Head of PR & CSR at Orchids -The International School, said ” Our intent behind hosting ‘PUJARPAN ‘22 was to inculcate the sense of social responsibility and education equity in our students and provide positive social value to them. Since, Durga Puja is around the corner and it is the biggest festival in Bengal, we felt this is a great opportunity for us to organize this activity. Our students truly lived up to the theme of ‘Be the change, bring the change’ and their dedication and hard work towards the cause was absolutely commendable. I would also like to thank the World Vision India Team and Prayajan NGO for collaborating with us and supporting our efforts.”
Alongside the cultural song and dance performances by OIS children, the children from the NGO also entertained the audience with their dance, skits, and music and captivated everyone present at the event with their performances. Orchidians also performed Agomoni songs and put up food and various goody stalls with the help of their parents.
